Brisbane/Meanjin rockers WAAX are set to release their new full-length At Least I'm Free next Friday and they're heading on a massive 22-date tour of Australia to celebrate.
Vocalist and recent Maniacs feature interview Maz DeVita shared her excitement at the announcement of what is one of the most complete Australian tour itineraries we've seen in quite some time.
"We cannot wait to see everyone out on the road, it’s going to be so special. We didn’t get a chance to tour our last album so this one will make up for lost time! It will be a super exciting immersive world for our community to party in."
This extensive tour follows on from their sold-out national Dangerous tour in April and May as well as recent dates as special guests for The Amity Affliction. Maz also joined Northeast Party House on stage at Splendour In The Grass for a riotous cover of Linkin Park’s One Step Closer.
The follow-up to their breakthrough debut Big Grief, At Least I’m Free sees WAAX reunited with Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and Grammy Award-Winner Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen) as they explore new sonic territory and experiences, without sacrificing any of the vulnerability and honesty that has brought them this far. Featuring the QMA Award-winning single Most Hated Girl, Help Me Hell, and the Linda Perry co-write Dangerous, At Least I’m Free features some fresh collaborations, including one with US rock superstar K.Flay. The result is an honest and indignant album, laden with raw vulnerability and contrasted by the high octane energy WAAX is renowned for.
In our feature, DeVita reveals that At Least I'm Free saw her find newfound confidence in her songwriting ability.
“Performing is one thing to me that I feel very much in control of and that comes natural to me. It feels like an extension of me. Songwriting feels like a completely different skill. The idea of being vulnerable in front of one person is so never racking to me, but then being in front of thousands, I feel completely in my element. The opposite is true for a lot of artists, a lot are terrified to get on stage and all that. For me performing was my first passion and love and I think that’s why I feel so confident on stage, because I've been doing it for so long.”
“I love songwriting, but I’ve had a variety of experiences in my formative years as a songwriter where other people have made me feel like I’m not good enough. So when I first started out, I never considered myself a songwriter. I had this weird relationship with songwriting. It’s only in the last couple of years where I’ve really embraced it and been able to say, “no I am good at this, I can do this” and that’s meant I’m not afraid to be myself and be honest. I love a good melody, but it’s been a journey. That side of things has been a journey for me”.
Tickets for the At Least I'm Free tour are on sale now. Details for all dates can be seen in the artwork below.
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